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Empire of the Sum
The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
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See moreThe hidden history of the pocket calculator—a device that ushered in modern mathematics, helped build the atomic bomb and went with us to the moon—and the mathematicians, designers and inventors who brought it to life
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
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Description
Starting with hands, abacus, and slide rule, humans have always reached for tools to simplify math. Pocket-sized calculators ushered in modern mathematics, helped build the atomic bomb, took us to the bottom of the ocean, and accompanied us to the moon. The pocket calculator changed our world, until it was supplanted by more modern devices that, in a cruel twist of irony, it helped to create. The calculator is dead; long live the calculator.
In this witty mathematic and social history, Keith Houston transports readers from the nascent economies of the ancient world to World War II, where a Jewish engineer calculated for his life at Buchenwald, and into the technological arms race that led to the first affordable electronic pocket calculators. At every turn, Houston is a scholarly, affable guide to this global history of invention. Empire of the Sum will appeal to math lovers, history buffs, and anyone seeking to understand our trajectory to the computer age.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Keith Houston's Empire of the Sum is praised for providing an engaging history of the development of calculators, highlighting their role as crucial stepping stones toward the digital age. The narrative is enriched by fascinating anecdotes and personalities, offering a deep and insightful exploration of our relationship with calculating machines. Reviewers commend Houston's witty and approachable style, making the book an enjoyable read.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9780393882148
Publisher: WW Norton & Co
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 06 October 2023
Country: United States
Imprint: WW Norton & Co
Illustration: Full-color illustrations
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 30.0mm
Width: 147.0mm
Height: 218.0mm
Weight: 559g
Pages: 384
About the Author
Keith Houston is the author of Face with Tears of Joy, Empire of the Sum, Shady Characters, and The Book. His writing has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Financial Times, and on Mental Floss, BBC Culture, and Literary Hub. He lives in Linlithgow, Scotland.
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